CHICAGO TRIBUNE: "PURPLE POLITICS CONVOLUTE THE ISSUE"
By Sultan Muhammad
October 4, 2006
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/
news_opinion_letters/2006/10/purple_politics.html
Dennis Byrne's assessment of the National Intelligence Estimate in his article, "Terror-report fight misses big picture" (Commentary, October 2), seeks to distort reality in an effort to maintain a failed policy.
"The data show that, [what] nearly all suicide terrorist attacks have in common is a specific secular and strategic goal: to compel modern democracies to withdraw military forces from territory that the terrorists consider to be their homeland," and have little to do with "Islamic fundamentalism or any one of the world's religions," states Robert A. Pape, a well established terrorism expert.
His findings propose, that "suicide terrorism is a strategy for national liberation from foreign military occupation." These resistance movements are direct responses to such occupation. This admission by no means justifies the reprehensible evil that is terrorism. But it does offer us a reality we seem reluctant to embrace; that when occupation ceases, so does terrorism.
If Byrne, and his like-minded counterparts in U.S. foreign policy, would exercise "intellectual honesty," it would stand apparent that the current policy of sustained occupation has only spawned violent resistance, as the NIE suggests.
One would only need to read news reports of the escalating violence to ascertain the validity of that assertion.
Reductionist signifiers, like "Jihadist," employed by Byrne indicate that he is more concerned with seeking to portray a monolithic foe, while taking moral supremacists' stances to justify a two-front quagmire - Afghanistan and Iraq.
Rather than earnestly conveying the truth about matters to an audience that can do something about them - i.e. the American voters - he convolutes the issue and suggests that the forced establishment of microwave democracies through military might is "just and moral."
He audaciously purports that we should "bring reason, justice and freedom to a part of the world" through these means as if we have perfected a patent brand on such ideals for export, because "it's good for that part of the world."
Byrne's purple political rhetoric only confuses the issue and exposes a hawk in dove's clothing.
Sultan Muhammad
Communications Coordinator
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago)
Chicago
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
CAIR-CHICAGO LAUNCHES ITS SECOND ANNUAL RAMADAN OUTREACH PROGRAM
October 6, 2006
As a chapter of the largest Muslim Civil Rights organization in the United States, it is our duty to empower our local constituents with services that protect their rights in the case of religious discrimination, biased media reporting, problems in attaining citizenship status...etc. It is also our duty to make our local constituents aware of these services.
One approach is through our Ramadan Outreach Program, which consists of a series of mini-presentations on CAIR-Chicago and the free services we provide to Muslims in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. These presentations are given by Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, during Taraweeh prayer at various mosques in the midwest. A donation box is also available for local supporters.
"It is important during these times that Muslims are aware of organizations that serve them and their needs", said Dina Rehab, Outreach Coordinator.
Several coordinated outreach events have already taken place including: the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs in Rolling Meadows, Muslim Community Center in Chicago, Bait-ul-ilm in Streamwood, the Islamic Community Center of Illinois in Chicago, the Muslim Educational Cultural Center of America in Willowbrook, the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Al-Azhar Islamic Foundation in Barrington, and the Islamic Center of Quad Cities in Moline,
There are still many outreach events scheduled to take place this month, including: the Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines in Des Plaines, the Islamic Center of Naperville in Naperville and the American Islamic Association in Frankfort (stay tuned to our website for more outreach locations).
We would like to thank all participating mosques for their consistent support and their confidence in CAIR-Chicago's work.
copyright © 2006, cairchicago.org
VILLAGE MEETING PASSES RECOMMENDATION ON ELIMINATING DISCRIMINATORY PARKING BAN
October 3, 2006
Lombard Community members came to an agreement that the current parking ban unfairly targets Muslims and should be reformed.
The Cambria residential community in Lombard is plagued with parking and trespassing problems. These problems not only stem from the Muslim community attending Friday prayer, but also from the daily congestion from the Jackson Middle School, visitors attending baseball and softball games at the nearby baseball field, and from other non-residents who congregate around the community's retention pond.
On or around August 31, 2006, the Village of Lombard passed a parking ordinance that banned parking on Fridays from noon until three. A thirty day police order effectuated the posting of the parking signs.
The parking ordinance, however, only targets the problem associated with the Muslim community attending Friday prayer. The ordinance does not address the other trespass concerns the residents face. Members of the Muslim community, many of whom own property in the area, understand that trespass is an important issue and approached the Village to devise a solution that addresses all of the trespass problems.
On September 19, 2006, the Village of Lombard hosted a special meeting, at the end of which it was decided that at the end of the thirty day police order the signs would be removed. All attendees were advised to bring their proposed solutions to the next Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting on October 2, 2006.
At the meeting on October 2nd, CAIR-Chicago's Ausaf Farooqi spoke about how the sign raises ill feelings and it can basically be read as "No Muslims park here," due to the wording used. Additionally, he touched on the legal issues involved; many commit trespass in the area, and therefore targeting only Muslims is discriminatory. The Muslim community members support a general ban Monday through Friday, in order to eliminate any discrimination.
The meeting culminated with board members agreeing to the discriminatory nature of this parking ban, after which they passed a recommendation for a general ban Monday trough Friday 7-5. A final decision on the issue will be given on October 19th, 2006.
copyright © 2006, CAIR-Chicago
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: THEY ARE NOT THEIR HAIR
By Deborah Douglas
September 20, 2006
Women are far more than the some of their parts -- six Chicagoans reveal what lies within
Once in a while, amid the prefab, love-soaked lyrics that pollute radio airwaves, a song resonates, reaching into our souls, nakedly asserting to the world how women feel and how women will be reckoned with as individuals. So when India.Arie declared "I Am Not My Hair," women Chicagowide collectively responded, "And neither are we!"
India.Arie sings that she endured hot-combed hair, the dreaded -- and drippy -- Jheri curl, and straightening her natural kinks with relaxers, which consequently and inevitably led to breakage. Then she went au naturel with cultivated dreadlocks, eventually sacrificing them to a bald cut. Nearly every step of the way, somebody had something, often negative, to say about her choice.
What'd she do to her hair? / I don't know, it look crazy
Despite the drastic changes, women could relate. The chart-topping song validates that universal female experience of being judged by looks. India.Arie gave life to the idea that a woman is more than the sum of her parts.
If I wanna shave it close / Or if I wanna rock locks / That don't take a bit away / From the soul that I got
That leads to the question, if we are not our hair, then who are we? Six Chicago women answer just that. From a smart blond to a cancer survivor who held her own hair-shaving party, we peek inside the soul that lives within.
LIZ WHELAN
25, senior account executive, West Loop
The song: "It's really kind of funky and fun, but when you take time to sit down and listen to it, it really resonates. To use a completely overused cliche, you can't judge a book by its cover."
Who you are: "I tend to be a dichotomy. I have style and fashion sense, but I love putting on a T-shirt and going to a college football game. I'm passionate about everything: art, work, being a wife, my family."
Personal philosophy: "You have to have something to do, someone to love and something to look forward to."
NADRA SMILEY
24, student, hair stylist, social advocate, Bronzeville
The song: "I wear locks. I had an afro; that was my favorite style because it was so free. I had a perm once. My hair started breaking off. I said, 'Oh, no, this is not going to work.' I cut it off after that and just started over, from scratch."
What you want people to see: "Juse me. I'm always changing. I'm never the same."
First impressions: "I've had friends tell me they thought I was mean ... bourgie or stuck up," Smiley says, laughing. "Those are the people who fall the most in love with me. That just says you can never make an assumption off looking at somebody."
Who you are: "I am young. I'm free. I'm intelligent. I'm full of new ideas. I'm a spiritual being. I'm trying to make my life happen."
What you learn from your clients: "I've noticed they always had a problem with their looks. Your hair is a big part of that. When they transition to natural hair, they feel not pretty, not adequate. Then I see them blossom into what they are. I see them get this confidence back."
DINA REHAB
26, outreach coordinator, Harwood Heights
The song: "I felt it completely represented my personal philosophy, an Islamic philosophy. The emphasis is on your soul, your character ... not your physical appearance.
Personal philosophy: "To live authentically and to do so in harmony with myself and my surroundings. This cannot be achieved without serious introspection about who you are, not who you should be."
First impressions: "Usually the first impression for people who don't know what a hijab stands for ... is, "There's an oppressed woman,' or 'She's foreign,' " says Rehab, who says her sacred head covering has a lot in common with nuns, Orthodox Jewish women and monks. When she covers her hair, people "sort of tune in to what you're really about."
More
India.Arie, "I Am Not My Hair"
copyright © 2006, Chicago Sun-Times
ELECTIONS HEAT UP IN THE 8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
By Erin Hartnett
September 28, 2006
With just over a month until Election Day (November 7, 2006), congressional campaigns have gone into overdrive with their fundraising efforts and profuse campaign expenditures. At the forefront of this extreme cash flow is Illinois' very own 8th Congressional District. Although the House of Representatives seat is currently held by first-term Democrat Melissa Bean, the Republican Party is sparing no efforts in having its candidate of choice, David McSweeney reclaim a district it held for the three decades prior to 2004. But what is an election without an independent running? Alongside Bean and McSweeney is independent Moderate candidate Bill Scheurer.
CANDIDATE PROFILES
First elected in 2004, Representative Melissa Bean considers herself a moderate Democrat, often voting against party lines. Although she has gained immense support from the business community (most recently endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce), the Congresswoman's vote in favor of the 2005 CAFTA Implementation Bill isolated her labor constituents (a group that largely contributed to her success in 2004).
Although she has not received a number of her previous union endorsements many have withheld their condemnations—in an attempt to keep the seat Democratic. Unopposed in the primary, Bean had $1.75 million left from 2004 to jumpstart her fundraising efforts, along with the backing of DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (IL-5).
This is investment banker David McSweeney's second attempt at the seat (he ran in 1998), and his political experience includes five years as a Palatine Township Trustee (1995-2000) and an internship with the Reagan-Bush Campaign (1984). He won March's 6-way Republican primary, but at a great cost—spending almost $1.7 million of his own money for the nomination.
Although largely self-financed, McSweeney has gotten a substantial hand from many of the Republican Party's heavy-hitters, with fundraising appearances from Vice President Dick Cheney, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, and Arizona Senator (and likely 2008 presidential candidate) John McCain.
Running as a Moderate is entrepreneur Bill Scheurer. Despite running for a State House seat in 2004, he lacks political experience (he was previously an attorney and a CEO).
With two children serving in the military, Scheurer has focused his attention upon the war in Iraq, calling for troop withdrawal and increased benefits for members of the armed forces. He has received endorsements from a number of unions, including the Teamsters, Unite Here, and the Service Employees International Union. His candidacy has been welcomed by McSweeney (who invited Scheurer to take part in all three of the debates), as he has the potential to divert needed support from Bean's liberal base.
KEY ISSUES
Both Bean and McSweeney have embraced controversial views on current hot-button issues such as immigration and national security, while Scheurer has taken a more 'liberal' position.
While in office, Bean voted in favor of the Secure Fence Act of 2006 (HR 6061), Border Security Bill (HR 4437), and Real ID Act of 2005 (HR 418), all against her party's position. She also voted in favor of the Patriot Act Reauthorization bill, which was strongly opposed by Democrats.
McSweeney has supported an increase in caps for legal immigration, but staunchly opposes a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Specifically, he has voiced support for the Sensenbrenner bill but feels that there should be exemptions made for religious organizations.
Scheurer supports a guest worker program, along with citizenship tracked opportunities for undocumented immigrants. He has opposed the Real ID Act and the Sensenbrenner bill, but supports efforts to make hiring an illegal immigrant a felony.
copyright © 2006, CAIR-Chicago
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES RELENTLESS IN ANTI-ISLAM CARTOONS
Ahmed Rehab
October 3, 2006
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/letters/72282,CST-EDT-VOX26A.article
OK, so I have witnessed the impudent display of reductionism otherwise known as a Jack Higgins cartoon last Wednesday. I have seen his characterization of the Prophet Muhammad as a sword-wielding, raging lunatic with a mountain of skulls at his trail. I have noted his insinuation that Islam itself inspires the violence we see on TV -- as opposed to, say, ignorance, poverty, repression or radicalization.
So now what am I going to do about it? According to Higgins, I would be burning his effigy right now, or perhaps I would be setting ablaze copies of the paper with a posse of my fellow violent brethren as we chanted maniacally before the cameras. Admittedly, I may feel some anger against the careless desecration of something I hold sacred, but it is highly unlikely that I would react emotionally, thanks primarily to the prophet Muhammad, no less. His famous saying that "the strongest amongst you is he who can conquer, not all others, but his own anger" is a life lesson I go by.
So how will I respond to Higgins' abuse of ink? By reaffirming his right to free speech and then responding with mine. Firstly, I write to protest the vilification of an entire people or religion based on what their worst stereotypes have to offer. Secondly, I vow to redouble my own commitment to dialogue and education. These -- and not anger -- are the most effective weapons against ignorance.
"Show me what Muhammad brought," the pope quoted a medieval emperor as asking. Every day, my colleagues and I strive to answer that question by waking up to serve community and country with dedication and integrity. Every day, as we square up to the daunting task of securing equal rights in an increasingly prejudiced environment, we muster up patience in the face of tribulation, resolve in the face of insolence. Civility is what Muhammad brought us.
Finally, I ask the Sun-Times to do something about its pitiful track record where, invariably, its editorial treatment of Islam-related topics is marred by a tendency toward reductionism, generalization or oversimplification.
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Sun-Times
Read Complete Coverage
COMMENTARY: THE ADL HONORS THE SUN-TIMES FOR "OBJECTIVITY" OF ALL THINGS
By Ahmed Rehab
October 9, 2006
The Chicago Sun-Times and its publisher, John Cruickshank, were awarded the Anti-Defamation League's First Amendment Freedom Award at the Fairmont Hotel last Thursday night, according to a news piece in today's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"The paper's reporting demonstrates its commitment to truth and objectivity," said Lonnie Nasatir, ADL's Greater Chicago office regional director. "The Sun-Times approaches Chicago's diverse communities with understanding, and it uses its editorial voice to speak out for justice, fairness and mutual respect."
This award says a lot about the ADL's standard for objectivity, or lack thereof. It also begs the question: do the folks at the ADL take into consideration the Sun-Times' recent editorial record on Muslim issues when they commend the Sun-Times' "editorial voice" for its "justice, fairness, and mutual respect" towards "diverse communities?"
Evidently not.
Here we have the ADL honoring the same paper that has systematically shown a lack of objectivity in its editorial coverage of Islam and Muslims, with an "objectivity" award of all things.
Examples of the Sun-Times' blatant lack of objectivity were peppered all over the editorial sections of the very same issues in which the ADL published its advertisements for this award gala, week in and week out.
Whether in the form of impudent cartoons by Jack Higgins that actively blurred the lines between Islam and terrorism/radicalism, or the insidious commentaries by Mary Laney who suggested that moderate Muslims condone terrorism, or the convoluted analysis by Steve Huntley who suggested that mobilizing to kill is an "evocation of Islam," the Sun-Times' editorial coverage of Islam has consistently been marred by reductionism, over-generalization, over-simplification, and a divergence from facts.
Is Lonnie Nasatir living under a rock?
The irony could not be more apparent than it is in today's issue of the Sun-Times.
In the same issue that we read about the ADL's award to the Sun-Times for using "its editorial voice to speak out for justice, fairness and mutual respect," we see a letter in the editorial section with the blunt title, "No 'moderate Muslims'".
Mind you, it is not just one letter that causes me to fault the editor, but a consistent flurry of virulently anti-Muslim letters that would never be published had the object of the vile hatred been any other community.
In this letter, chosen by the editor among hundreds that are sent in, the writer, John M. McCarthy of Berwyn echoes the perverse logic in columnist Mary Laney's recent commentary that since she has not personally been contacted by moderate Muslims, they must not exist.
McCarthy feeds off her venomous piece taking it to the next level, a full blown rant in which he audaciously asserts that:
"'moderate Muslim' is an oxymoron. And anyone who believes there is such a creature is a moron. When a civilization states that its sole reason for existence is to exterminate us, we have two options: We can "negotiate," a la Chamberlain, or we can destroy their will and ability to carry out their mission."
Not only does Mr. McCarthy claim on the pages of the Sun-Times that ALL Muslims are radicals, but he goes on to state that anyone who refuses to agree with his racist assertion is nothing but "a moron".
The rest of Mr. McCarthy's letter makes it clear that his racism is rooted in his ability to differentiate between Islam as a religion/civilization, and the politics of terrorism espoused by outlaws of the religion/civilization. This misunderstanding is not surprising given the source of his information: the Sun-Times editorial section, which has consistently blurred the distinction to the detriment of simple minds like McCarthy.
And yet, Lonnie Nasatir of the ADL can say with a straight face that "the Sun-Times approaches Chicago's diverse communities with understanding, and it uses its editorial voice to speak out for justice, fairness and mutual respect." It is obvious that Nasatir himself needs a crash course on "objectivity."
It is nothing short of shameful for the ADL to seek to strengthen its ties with a newspaper at the expense of minority communities and at the expense of justice, fairness, and mutual respect.
Lastly, this must be asked: when the ADL claims to stand up against defamation of "all citizens," do these citizens include Muslims? When the ADL claims to seek "to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens," does such a sect and body include the Muslim community?
The ADL owes all those who take its mission statement seriously a direct answer supported by facts.
In the News
- Washington Report on Middle Eastern Affairs: Chicagoans Demand Cease-Fire in Israel-Lebanon War
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October 4, 2006
- Chicago Tribune: Purple politics convolute the issue
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October 4, 2006
- Chicago Sun-times: Impudent cartoon
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September 26, 2006
Media Response System [visit center]
- Fighting the evil of the new anti-Semitism (A Letter to the Chicago Tribune)
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October 6, 2006
- Purple Politics Convolute the Issue (In Response to a Chicago Tribune Blog)
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October 4, 2006
- Radical Conservative Actively Misguides Readers (In Response to an Article in the Convervative Voice
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September 29, 2006
- Pope- Muhammad Cartoon Has It All Wrong (A Letter to the Chicago Sun-Times)
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September 26, 2006
- CAIR-Chicago launches its Second Annual Ramadan Outreach Program
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October 5, 2006
- Village Meeting Passes Recommendation on Eliminating Discriminatory Parking Ban
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October 3, 2006
- CAIR-Chicago Conducts Voter Registration Drive at Bait-Ul-Ilm
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October 1, 2006
- U.S. District Court Congratulates CAIR-Chicago
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September 29, 2006
- CAIR-Chicago Attends the Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights Consultation Dinner
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September 27, 2006
Recent Events
- Ramadan Outreach - Islamic Center of Quad Cities
October 8, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Al-Azhar Foundation
October 7, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Mosque Foundation
October 6, 2006
- 9th Annual Des Plaines Mayor's Prayer Breakfast
October 5, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Muslim Educational Cultural Center of America (MECCA)
October 4, 2006
- Executive Director to Address MECCA Interfaith Iftar
October 4, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Islamic Community Center of Illinois
October 3, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Bait-Ul-Ilm
October 1, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Muslim Community Center
September 30, 2006
- CAIR-Chicago to Hold a Voter Registration Drive at Bait-Ul-Ilm
October 1, 2006
- Communications Coordinator, Sultan Muhammad to Participate in "Being Muslim in America" Forum
September 30, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs
September 25, 2006
 
RECENT CASES:
Civil Rights Update – 10/09/06
The Civil Rights Department at CAIR-Chicago currently has 605 cases documented in which 246 cases are active and are being pursued by department personnel. Below are the cases that were reported to CAIR-Chicago within the last two weeks.
Government:
- Four more Muslims have reported delays in their citizenship process, having applied for their citizenship and passing all necessary USCIS requirements, but have been waiting for citizenship status due to pending background checks. CAIR-Chicago is incorporating these four cases into the Citizenship Delay Project. For more information on the Citizenship Delay Project, please see the action alert below.
School:
- A Muslim family reported that their children, who are enrolled in a public elementary school, were being required to participate in music education classes even though music is against their religion. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the issue and will contact the school to request accommodation of the family's religious beliefs.
- A Muslim university student attending a Christian university is being required to attend weekly devotional prayer services. The student attempted to attend one service, but felt extremely uncomfortable and out of place. The student also deeply feels that attending the services compromises her religious beliefs. The university denied the student her request to have the requirement waived to accommodate her religious beliefs. CAIR-Chicago is investigating the issue and will contact the school to request accommodation of her religious beliefs.
ONGOING PROGRESS:
View reports of ongoing progress for cases with the Civil Rights Department in the "Progress Report" section.
ACTION ALERTS:
Citizenship Delay Project - Religious Discrimination Delays Citizenship Process:
As a joint effort with the Arab American Action Network (AAAN), CAIR-Chicago is asking individuals who passed a citizenship examination and have been waiting for over 90 days, or have been waiting for a Green Card for permanent residence for over 90 days to contact us at either or
Travel Free Project - Muslim Americans Detained and Questioned When Traveling Outside of the U.S.:
As part of a potential class action law suit, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and CAIR-Chicago is asking anyone who has been detained and questioned on return to the US at any border crossing (land or airport) to please contact immediately. It is important for Muslims who have faced this type of treatment to join the lawsuit so as to show that it is not an isolated case. The more people that join the case the more strength it will have to force positive changes in how Muslim Americans are treated in the future at our borders.
Also, if you are being consistently delayed, detained, or have otherwise had your rights violated while traveling, contact .
Religious Discrimination at Standardized Testing Centers:
As part of a potential class action law suit, CAIR-Chicago is asking for anyone who has experienced any form of religious discrimination at a testing center to please contact us at . An example of a possible form of religious discrimination includes requiring or requesting the removal of a headscarf for searches, or discriminatory remarks made by employees about Muslims or Islam.
The facts of the above case are as follows:
A Muslim student was asked to remove her headscarf on two separate occasions at a testing center before she began a standardized test required for graduate school. The supervisor and employees of the testing center refused to show her a written copy of the policy requiring Muslim women wearing a headscarf to be searched. A witness at the testing center also observed the employees making discriminatory remarks about Muslims while the victim was taking the test.
Please let us know if you or someone you know have experienced a similar incident and would like to take action to prevent such forms of religious discrimination at standardized testing centers in the future.
 - Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, October 10, 2006!
October 6, 2006
- Chicago Sun-Times Relentless in Anti-Islam Cartoons
October 2, 2006
- Ask Post Offices to Stock Eid Stamps
September 28, 2006
 - Ramadan Outreach - American Islamic Association
October 9, 2006
- Executive Director to Speak at University of Maryland Journalism Conference in Las Vegas
October 12, 2006
- Executive Director To Deliver Sermon at Las Vegas Islamic Center
October 13, 2006
- Executive Director to speak on Muslim-American activism at the University of Nevada
October 13, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines
October 14, 2006
- Ramadan Outreach - Islamic Center of Naperville
October 15, 2006
- Ahmed Rehab, Fall Speaker at Minnesota State University Moorehead
October 24, 2006
- Fall Action Assembly with Gubernatorial Candidates
October 29, 2006
- Geneive Abdo is in town. Catch her at the following events sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs:
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- Muslim Life in America After 9/11 (COD)
Monday, October 16, 2006 07:00 PM
Geneive Abdo, Liaison for the Alliance of Civilizations at the UN and journalist
 College of DuPage
Student Resource Center (SRC 2800)
425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn
Members: $10
Nonmembers: $15
Muslim Life in America After 9/11 (CHI)
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 05:30 PM
Geneive Abdo, Liaison for the Alliance of Civilizations at the UN and journalist
The Millennium Knickerbocker
163 East Walton Place
Members: $20
Nonmembers: $30
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 The Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, October 10, 2006!
Are you a U.S. citizen over the age of 18 and have not yet registered to vote? The deadline to vote in the Illinois Primary Elections is fast approaching. In fact, the last day to register is Tuesday, October 10, 2006. The election will be on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Several hotly contested and exciting races are occurring this election, so don't forget to register to vote!
You can still register to vote! Download and complete this form: http://www.elections.il.gov/
Downloads/VotingInformation/
PDF/R-19.pdf
Return all forms to:
- Cook County Clerk's office,
69 W.Washington St. # 500,
Chicago, IL 60602
Missed the deadline? Still want to vote?
Click here for more information on late registration.
CAIR-Chicago Welcomes New Activists to the Team
 Uzma Bawany is a senior at DePaul University who has joined CAIR-Chicago as a Communications Intern. She is on track to earning her Bachelors Degree in Commerce with a concentration in Marketing and minor in Sociology this spring. Fortunately through both current and previous work experience she has been able to familiarize herself in various aspects of marketing by taking active responsibility in consumer research, promotions, strategic analysis and sales. Her most previous work opportunity includes working with the Harris Bank corporate marketing team doing strategic analysis and assisting in development of a future promotional program. Her true passion is working with people and she believes true balance in life is achieved by matching your financial and career successes with efforts toward betterment of the global community.
 Mai Mahmoud Staiti is an apprentice with the AFSC (American Friends Service Committee) and a visiting Volunteer with CAIR-Chicago. She is in her third year studying marketing at the Arab American University in Jenin. She is a coach of the Popular Achievement program in Palestine, an AFSC initiative in Jenin. She instructs youth on many concepts including democracy, effective communication, team work, and non-violence. Mai encourages the youth that she instructs to implement what they have learned in their communities in order that they may themselves guide others in the future. Members of her group have gone on to contribute to their communities by opening a library, planting trees, and imparting the values they have learned to their peers. Her group known as Watanna – meaning our home – also produced and performed a play in order to work toward the revival of the arts and culture community of Jenin, due to the city's decline during the Intifada, in which all entrances to the town were closed by the Israeli army. Mai is here visiting organizations in several cities of the U.S. to share her experiences and learn more in the way of activism to better serve her work in Palestine.
Read About Mai's experience in the U.S.
CAIR-Chicago's Muslim Activist Website
Are you an Undergraduate or Graduate Student Looking to Earn College Credit While Interning at CAIR-Chicago?
CAIR-Chicago, the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), is currently offering 17 new internship opportunities. CAIR is the nation's largest Muslim civil rights organization. The organization's mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
All internships are unpaid. Internships last one semester and include a 12-hour/week commitment. Applicants should email a resume and cover letter to Dina Rehab, Outreach Coordinator, at: .
APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
clearly indicate which internship opportunity you are applying for in your cover letter. If you are applying for more than one position, please list in order of preference. All fall applications are due by August 28th (please note: fall internships run from August/September through December/January). Applications that do not list the above information will not be processed. If you have any questions, please email all inquiries to . Students interested in receiving class credit, should indicate so in their cover letters. Credit will be arranged during the first week of the academic semester.
Listing of all internships by department:
Civil Rights:
CIVIL RIGHTS INTERN
LAW CLERK (Law Students Only)
Communications:
COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
CHURCH PROJECT INTERN
FAITH CORE ONLINE MAGAZINE INTERN
Governmental Relations:
GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS INTERN
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING LEAD INTERN
VOTER EDUCATION PROJECT INTERN
POLICY RESEARCH INTERN
Operations:
OPERATIONS INTERN
RECEPTIONIST
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERN
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT INTERN
Outreach:
PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERN
PUBLIC EDUCATION INTERN
HUMAN RESOURCES INTERN
MUSLIMS CARE PROJECT INTERN
Dina Rehab is CAIR-Chicago's Outreach Coordinator, she can be reached via email at
    
Executive Director
Ahmed Rehab
Civil Rights Coordinator
Christina Abraham
Outreach Coordinator
Dina Rehab
Governmental Relations Coordinator
Sadiya Ahmed
Operations Coordinator
Sabah Ahmed
Communications Coordinator
Sultan Muhammad
Staff Attorney
Heena Musabji, Esq.
Legal Advisor
Maaria Mozaffar
Community Organizer
Haady Taslim
Board of Directors
Alif Muhammad
Ahmed Rehab
Hina Sodha, Esq.
Yaser Tabbara, Esq. - Secretary
Mazen Kudaimi, MD - Vice President
Safaa Zarzour, Esq. - President
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